The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE trade union representing line-staff at Morton Salt (Bahamas) has urged the government to “get serious” about resolving its long-running dispute over a new industrial agreement.

Jennifer Brown, president of the Bahamas Industrial, Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU), said workers were tried of hearing that Inagua was a “one company town”, adding that the government appear paralysed over addressing their concerns.

“We want to know who is looking out for us,” she said. “We’re tired of hearing that this is a one company town. The government needs to get serious, step up and help bring a resolution to our concerns. Inagua is our home and we will not be mistreated. We want our issues resolved, and we believe the government can do much more.”

Ms Brown spoke out after Dion Foulkes, minister of labour, recently expressed concerns over ongoing industrial issues at Morton Salt, noting that operations at the salt harvester remain critical to employment on Inagua.

Morton Salt, in a recent statement, said it hopes to “soon” conclude an industrial deal despite a “very tense” working environment where the line staff union has held-off on potential strike action.

The salt harvester, Inagua’s largest employer, said it was aiming to achieve a “comprehensive and fair” industrial agreement with the Bahamas Industrial, Manufacturers and Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU) even though the relationship between the two sides remains strained.

Morton Salt’s spokesman, Paul Jackiewicz, released a statement from the company which said: “We hope to resolve the ongoing negotiations soon with a comprehensive and fair labour agreement that maintains a safe and successful facility for our employees.”

Ms Brown, though, previously told Tribune Business that tensions were high at the Inagua plant with workers expressing safety concerns.

Those tensions escalated in recent weeks, with Morton Salt issuing warning letters to several employees over what it claimed was an “intentional slowdown”, and suspending at least three for a week.

The union has in recent months gone public over its dispute with Morton Salt regarding a new industrial agreement. Ms Brown recently told this newspaper that the union, which represents some 100-line staff, had been been “pushed” to take strike action after the company made no improvements to its purported counter-offer. The threat of industrial unrest has loomed over Morton Salt’s Inagua operations since late last year.